Method for transmitting data between a first and a second computing unit

Abstract

A method for establishing a data connection and for transmitting data from a first computing unit to a second computing unit, includes, in the first computing unit, selecting and reading out from a database an address of the second computing unit in a selection program; establishing a connection with the address of the second computing unit; initially performing a version comparison between the first and the second computing units with respect to an employed communications protocol; and, after the communications protocol is determined, establishing a data connection for transmitting data; and a computing unit with a memory for performing the method.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for establishing a data connection and for transmitting data from a first computing unit to a second computing unit, which comprises, in the first computing unit, selecting and reading out from a database an address of the second computing unit in a selection program; establishing a connection with the address of the second computing unit; initially performing a version comparison between the first and the second computing units with respect to an employed communications protocol; and, after the communications protocol is determined, establishing a data connection for transmitting data.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , which includes displaying a specified number of diagnostic programs; selecting and starting one of the diagnostic programs via the first computing unit; and transmitting results of the one diagnostic program to the first computing unit.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , which includes displaying a specified number of diagnostic programs for monitoring a printing press connected to the second computing unit; selecting and starting one of the diagnostic programs via the first computing unit; and transmitting results of the one diagnostic program to the first computing unit.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , which includes providing a table wherein diagnostic programs are assigned to specified printing presses, so that when establishing a connection, the diagnostic programs pertaining to a printing press are displayed for selection.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , which includes, depending upon the diagnostic program that is selected, establishing a communications protocol via which data are transmitted between the first and the second computing units.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , which includes, depending upon the diagnostic program that is selected, providing a specified number of data ports via which data are transmitted.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , which includes transmitting specified data only via specified data ports.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , which includes outputting the data in parallel via the data ports, and transmitting the data output serially in data packets via the data connection.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , which includes providing in each data packet an identifier for the data port, which indicates the data port from which the data were output.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , which includes selecting a type of control with which the printing press is controlled by the computing unit and, depending upon the control that is selected, selecting at least one of a communications protocol and a diagnostic program.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , which includes selecting a type of control with which the printing press is controlled by the computing unit and, depending upon the control that is selected, displaying at least one of a communications protocol and a diagnostic program for selection.  
     
     
         12 . A computing unit with a memory, comprising at least one of hardware and software for selecting and reading out from a database an address of another computing unit in a selection program, for establishing a connection with the address of the other computing unit, for initially performing a version comparison between the computing units with respect to an employed communications protocol, and for establishing, after the communications protocol is determined, a data connection for transmitting data.